PIA Press Release2009/10/01

Albayanos thanked for volunteers helping 'Ondoy' victims

Polangui, Albay (1 October) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo thanked the provincial government of Albay for sending to Rizal province a group of well-trained and battle-tested disaster workers to help in the relief and rehabilitation efforts for the victims of typhoon Ondoy.

"Thank you to all of you for responding to my call," the President said as she led the send-off ceremony for 58 volunteers of Albay Composite Emergency Response Team (ACERT), dubbed as Albay' elite disaster warriors, on the sidelines of the groundbreaking rites for the rehabilitation of the Polangui water system project.

Albay Governor Joey Salceda said the sending of ACERT volunteers to help in the relief and rehabilitation efforts in five municipalities of Rizal province is a simple return gesture of the people of Albay for the support the President has extended when the province was hardly hit by typhoon Reming years back.

"Madam President the people of Albay are responding to your call for national unity in this challenging period of suffering," Governor Salceda said in his welcome statement.

He said ACERT is composed of 20 emergency paramedics, 10 water and sanitation personnel, and 28 search, rescue and retrieval personnel.

The team was trained by the provincial government using a P20 million, budget, P5 million of which came from the Department of Health (DOH) and P15 million from the province, Salceda said.

He informed the President that following the declaration of state of calamity in Metro Manila and other areas directly hit by Ondoy, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan has approved the use of P1 million from its calamity fund for assistance to the towns of Baras, Tanay, Cainta, San Mateo and Rodriguez, all in Rizal province.

The check was personally turned-over by Governor Salceda to the President right after the ceremonial lowering of the time capsule signaling the start of the construction for the rehabilitation of the Polangui water system project at Barangay Napo here.

"Congratulations to all benefactors of this water project (sa mga makikinabang sa ating patubig dito)," the President said.

The rehabilitation of the Polangui Water System costs P140.7 million. Scope of work includes upgrading of the two existing reservoirs, installation of a 24,148 linear meters of pipeline, power line extension, installation of 5,000 service connections, improvement of treatment facility and the existing Higiban spring intake, and construction of a pumping station. (PIA-MMIO) [top]